Chicago High School Football Player Dies After Hit

On the last play of the game between Bogan High School and Chicago Vocational High on Thursday night, Bogan senior Andre Smith took a hit, then collapsed after walking off the field. Smith was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he died early yesterday morning. He was 17 years old.

Relatives told ABC7 that Smith was still breathing when they arrived at the hospital, and that he had brain swelling. An autopsy has not been conducted yet. Chicago Public Schools released the following statement:

For all of us at Chicago Public Schools, our hearts are heavy and saddened this morning to learn that one of our student athletes at Bogan High School has passed away.

Smith is the seventh high school football player to die this year. This seems like a horrifyingly high number, but, as The Huffington Post points out, this year is on track to be a normal year, statistically speaking. A crucial stat from their report is that only 37% of high schools employ full-time athletic trainers, who can be critical in quickly diagnosing injuries.

[CBS2]